Sandmining protesters in for “long haul”

A flotilla of more than 100 boats, kayaks and catamarans took to the serene waters of Bream Bay on March 15 in a powerful demonstration against a proposed sandmining venture in the bay.

The protest brought together a diverse coalition of local residents, environmental advocates and iwi determined to protect the bay’s delicate marine ecosystem from a proposal by Auckland excavation company, McCallum Brothers, to dredge 8.45 million cubic metres of sand from the bay over the next 35 years.

Organised by resistance group No Sandmining in Bream Bay (NSBB), the flotilla gathered at the heart of the proposed 17-kilometre dredging zone, with banners, signs and horns making their message impossible to ignore.

Kaumātua from Ngātiwai and Patuharakeke led the charge, joined by participants from Whangārei Heads, Ruakākā, One Tree Point and Langs Beach. Onshore, dozens of supporters lined the beaches from Ruakākā to Uretiti to show their solidarity.

Longtime Langs Beach resident Mary Sinclair described the unprecedented unity of the community.

“I’ve been here for over 70 years and we’ve never had the togetherness we do now. Māori and non-Māori, young and old, we’re all standing together to protect our home,” she said.

The newly-formed advocacy group, Save Bream Bay Sand, is currently preparing for a prolonged battle.

“There are some very smart and influential people behind our fight,” Sinclair said. “We’re in it for the long haul.”

Local hapū Te Patuharakeke and Te Parawhau have also escalated the fight by filing a claim with the Waitangi Tribunal. Dr Mere Kepa, who submitted the application in her name, argues that the Fast-track Approvals Act and the dredging proposal breach Treaty obligations.

“The claim will bring attention to the issue and provide an opportunity to present evidence that aligns with Te Tiriti o Waitangi,” Dr Kepa said. “Future governments need to amend legislation that breaches the Treaty to ensure environmental protections and equity for hapū.”

Environmental concerns are a major focus of the protest, with advocates warning of the devastating impact sand dredging would have on Bream Bay’s seafloor and marine life. Marine advocate Shaun Lee highlighted the threat to scallop beds in the proposed dredging area.

“Both scallops and scallop habitat in the area have had the opportunity to recover since the closure of the scallop fishery in October 2022. The proposed mine overlaps with this passive recovery zone,” Lee says. “The project could operate until 2060 and have serious impacts on the viability of the fragile fishery.”

Lee’s report referenced ecological findings from previous dredging operations at Pakiri Beach, where significant adverse effects on marine species were documented.

NSBB spokesperson Susan Crawford voiced her frustration with McCallums, who she said did not engage with the communities they impacted. 

“On the seafloor, there is a significant layer of what is essentially marine topsoil, which contains all the marine flora and fauna that sustains life. If this goes, the food web is destroyed and the consequential and significant loss of marine life would be inevitable,” Crawford said.

“They have been dredging for decades, so if their operations do not damage the seafloor, proving so should be simple.”

Mangawhai local Ken Rayward, who played a major role in the fight to stop McCallums mining in Pakiri waters, was supporting the Bream Bay fight.

He said that throughout the consent application process, the company had always maintained they should be granted consent as their sand was necessary for the growth of the Auckland construction industry.

“However, there are now several sustainable, eco-friendly supply options available that ensures there should be no disruption to supply,” he said.

“In spite of this, either through arrogance or ignorance or perhaps both, McCallum has refused to accept that the world has moved on from supporting the prehistoric seabed mining practices they engage in.

“If McCallums are serious about having responsibility for supply and looking after their customers, they should have a Plan B in place and be actively pursuing one of these eco-friendly options.

“If they haven’t, and there is a resulting short supply of sand to Auckland construction, only McCallums would be responsible.”